The Department for Education state that there is a need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated by the Prime Minister in 2014. At Sacred Heart these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Democracy is embedded within all classes at Sacred Heart. Pupils are listened to by all members of staff and are taught to listen carefully and with compassion. Our children are taught to have and share their opinions as well as respect and listen to others.

Children have a voice and this is shared through our elected school council, who meet throughout the term. The school council discuss how to move the school forward as well as our chosen school charities. Before meetings the school council meet with their class to discuss any issues they would like to be brought to the meeting. Within the school council there are sub teams responsible for whole school areas which include:

Fundraising

Eco

Healthy living

Website

The Rule of Law

A consistently applied behaviour policy is shared with all children from EYFS to Year 6. Expectations are reinforced by all members of staff and positive praise and awards are used consistently.

Buddies are used during playtime and lunch time where the Year 5 children are trained to mediate problems on the playground. They use excellent communication and exemplar behaviour to provide care and support to the other children. Play leaders are also used to create happy, fair playtimes and lunchtimes.

Children are aware of the “people who help us” and are beginning to understand their roles and responsibilities. Throughout school the children are visited by professions such as, police, fire and health care to enhance their understanding.

Individual Liberty

Within school, children feel they are in a safe and supportive environment where they are encouraged to make choices and voice their concerns. As a school, we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety and RE lessons.

Children, within Sacred Heart, are valued for their differences and are given the opportunity, through afterschool activities, to explore new skills. Equal opportunities for all genders are considered carefully and both boys and girls are invited to participate in all sports and activities.

Mutual Respect:

As a school we have school and class rules which all children are a part of deciding. The children have clear expectations of their behaviour and are aware of the consequences.

All classes take part in an Anti-bullying day and a mission day, which embraces the British values. Children are taught to value differences in others and to show respect to all.

Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

We are a very multicultural school; we achieve this through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in Come and See and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions, and those who speak languages other than English, are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.

We have EAL buddies, where our older EAL children share their skills and knowledge with our younger EAL children to allow them to feel safe and comfortable within school.